We took the tour last week and it was impressive! Bob is full of information and stories and it was amazing to actually be inside.

I realized this article (below) hasn't been posted yet so I'll add the link - basically just an overview and stating that they'll be partnering with a national hotel chain, as christiki posted earlier. Bob told us during the tour (a week ago) that the hotel brand would be officially announced within a couple weeks, so news may be coming soon. He did say that the name will stay - it will be a "Coco Palms - a (whatever) Resort" type of thing. He also confirmed again that the plan is to rebuild exactly as it was; some of the wood buildings will need to be started from scratch, but that many of the buildings are concrete and can be rebuilt upon the existing bones.

There was no construction going on yet; basically just the dust screen around the property on the Kuhio Highway said. All the old building permits from the previous go-around have expired, so there's a wait for new ones to be approved. He mentioned that a permit for a pedestrian bridge was submitted - it was approved the last time around and hopefully would be again. They really will need that - we walked over for the tour and trying to cross there isn't pretty (or quick.)

Here are few of the shots from our tour a couple weeks ago. Sorry the lighting isn't great in most of them; it was raining so I had to just take quick snaps.

Approaching the lobby area

Lobby - you can see how the arch beams have started to warp into a concave shape

around the grounds

Restaurant/Lounge building

Lagoon outside the restaurant/lounge

Inside the cottage used in Blue Hawaii
Cottage bedroom
Remains of the bathroom in the cottage Elvis stayed in. They've had to remove the remaining clam shell sinks due to theft

Palm tree crash disaster

The coconut grove

Hallway of a hotel building. The flash on my camera is really powerful - it was almost pitch black and pretty creepy walking through here!
Hotel room
Lucky (literal) shot in the dark I took in the hall, revealing some wallpaper

That's a good video. So they have actually started cleaning up the place. The guide said "a week ago this was jungle" and the reporter said "construction could begin before the end of the year." This is all truly good news, that place needs to be brought back.

Start saving up now for a grand TC meetup when it re-opens!
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What "drinking problem?" I only drink twice a year -- on my birthday, and when its not my birthday!

Yes, they have been truly reclaiming it from the jungle, trimming back landscaping, cutting grass, and cutting down some dead and dying coco palms.
The official word still is that they will get construction permits this year, begin work late this year, and finish late 2015 or into 2016.
I'm watching closely, and will report anything I see!
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Thanks for the story link! Interesting that they mentioned a shuttle to get people across the street instead of bridge of some sort. As long there's something - throngs of people trying to cross there all day would be a bad idea.